How do pharmaceutical drugs get in drinking water (H2O)? At what level are these drugs considered dangerous when identified? These questions are presented frequently in scientific communities. However, not every one is a scientist. It is normal for everyday people to express concern.
Medications prescribed by physicians, as well as over the counter medicines, register way below prescribed dosages when discovered in H2O samples. However, this does not address the fact of why it is there in the first place. Tracking the steps, from consumption to disposal, will help answer this question. People take medications to treat chronic illnesses or temporary aches and pains. The human body digests the pill or liquid and absorbs a certain percentage of the medication. Remaining amounts not absorbed by the body are eliminated through bowel movements and urination.
Sewage, or waste H2O, is treated prior to being released into reservoirs and rivers. When drinking plants need to replenish their supplies, more is brought in and further treatments are performed. Drinking plants are the last facilities that screen and treat water before releasing mass amounts to private homes. The combination of these treatments do not remove all traces of medications.
Not every home in every city will always have the same substances present in their water. There are variations in this respect. In general, it is common to find residual amounts of common pain relievers, anxiety medications, anti-epileptic drugs, anti-depressants, antibiotics, and even hormones. There are far more medications than these that have been identified as commonly consumed via drinking. Companies maintain there is no danger associated with these low levels of medical drugs.
For many people taking the word of a water company is not good enough. This belief stems from other substances that have been labeled as safe, only to be recalled or have strict warnings attached later on. First something is safe, and then it is not. In the meantime, the product in question has been used and damage has been done.
As a result, health-conscious designers have developed H2O filters that help further clean tap water. The goal is to have the least exposure to residual medications, and other toxic substances, as possible. Asking how do pharmaceutical drugs get in drinking H2O is a thought that should not even have to be considered. The truth is society likes convenient products, whether in the form of pills or chemical based cleaners. Modern conveniences of all sorts can be very helpful, and hurtful, at the same time.
